Richard Parks Lewis Hamilton made his eagerly awaited debut for Ferrari at the Imola Grand Prix in Italy. Thousands of passionate Ferrari fans, known as tifosi, lined the streets dressed in red, celebrating the seven-time world champion’s arrival. This event marks a new chapter in Ferrari’s long and proud racing history.
Since Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari in 2023, fans have followed the team from Maranello to Imola with high hopes. “We like his mentality,” said 19-year-old fan Kiarah. “Maybe not now, but he will win for Ferrari.”
Ferrari’s Early Season Struggles
Despite the excitement, Ferrari’s SF-25 car has faced challenges. The car lacks the speed many expected, limiting Hamilton’s ability to compete at the front. Hamilton won a sprint race in China, but the team currently sits fourth in the constructors’ championship. Hamilton is seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren by 90 points.
At the previous Miami race, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc battled with Williams, not the usual top teams Red Bull or McLaren. They finished seventh and eighth, respectively.
Hamilton Adjusts to Ferrari Environment
After 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton is adapting to a new team setup at Ferrari. This includes working with new engineers and adjusting to different systems. Although he has shown signs of frustration, Hamilton remains focused on improving and pushing the team forward.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur recognized the pressure Hamilton faces. “There is extra pressure, but it’s positive,” he said. “Lewis sees this home race as a huge opportunity.”
Practice Sessions Signal Tight Competition
In the first practice session at Imola, Hamilton placed fifth, just 0.1 seconds behind leader Oscar Piastri. The top five drivers were separated by less than a tenth of a second, indicating close competition ahead. In the second session, McLaren again showed strong performance with Piastri and Lando Norris leading the timesheets ahead of Pierre Gasly, George Russell, and Max Verstappen.
Tifosi’s Support Remains Unwavering
Despite the team’s slow start, Ferrari supporters remain hopeful. They see Hamilton as a star who could bring future championship success. Hamilton, for his part, is clearly moved by the fans’ devotion.
“You expect passion around Ferrari,” Hamilton said, “but it’s more than that. It’s beautiful.”
In a season where Ferrari’s performance has not yet met expectations, the loyalty and faith of its fans remain a key source of strength.